Feeling overworked and overcommitted? If so you’re not alone. According to a
recent survey by Forbes Magazine and Bump.com, 92 percent of working moms say
they feel overwhelmed by work, home and parenting responsibilities.
Many women find themselves misguided about the sense of fulfillment they
expected after achieving what they thought was expected of them. "Instead
of feeling excited and overjoyed by my accomplishments, having it all left me
exhausted and detached," said JJ DiGeronimo, author of The Working Woman’s
GPS, a book she wrote to guide women toward a self led plan which often
"deviates from society’s plan."
She interviewed dozens of women while putting The Working Woman’s GPS together.
The book showcases a range of struggles, triumphs and evolutions by women,
including Leah, a former director of communications who has decided her current
profession was not meeting her needs to do something meaningful with a purpose.
"At the end of the day, I want to say that I’ve done something for me. I’m
contributing to this big picture idea," said Leah.
She also interviewed Crickett, 59 yrs old, a mother of two who had held many
jobs during her working career, then ended up finding fulfillment when she
became an entrepreneur. The author weaves the women’s stories throughout the
text, using them as examples to illustrate how the reader can rewrite their own
plan to "have it ALL."
The key points DiGeronimo wants people
to take away from her book:
1) The importance of taking a personal inventory to determine what you like
doing best and who and what you migrate toward;
2) How to examine what is and isn’t working in your life;
3) How to make small changes that give women the energy and confidence they
need to make more effective choices once they understand the landscape.
4) How to execute a new plan that makes the most sense.
Maria, 26, a manager in supply chain management said she came to a realization
after she took the inventory in the book. She discovered that her "assets,
skills, and talents are not aligned" with her current job.
"It made it apparent that sometimes I grasped onto people and jobs because
I was scared and often held on too long. These inventories make it so
objective. It is now more visible that I need to make use of my special
gifts," she said. Maria made small changes and is now in the process of
adjusting existing choices and making new ones to move her life towards one of
inspiration.
Sarah, 34, has been in healthcare for the past 13 years. During her interview
for the book she was asked if the "Plan to have it All" was working
for her. "No," she said. "I choose to put more of my time and
energy into work, whether it be worrying about it or putting time into it. Most
of my choices are between family and work and I put less time into myself. I
don’t feel balanced with myself."
"If you too are in a life that leaves you wanting more, making adjustments
is critical to your journey, but you can only make those changes if you know
what energizes you and thus what direction you should be moving in. The Working
Woman’s GPS provides you the roadmap to get from where you are to where you
need to go" said DiGeronimo.
This book is already getting the interest of many women’s meetings and
diversity programs. DiGeronimo is scheduled to appear at several women’s conferences
where she looks forward to sharing stories, exercises and advice with women who
have worked towards the "PLAN" to have it All and are now LOST in
their own journeys.
To arrange an interview with JJ DiGeronimo, or to invite her to speak to your
organization:
Contact:
Lisa M. Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
5549 Canal Road
Cleveland, OH 44125
877-705-9647
